PGI criticizes plan on religious teaching

JAKARTA (JP): The Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI) urged Minister of Education and Culture Juwono Sudarsono to reconsider the ministry's plan to require Christian schools to drop their tradition of teaching only Christianity to students.

PGI said the obligation to provide teachers for other religions was against the spirit of Law No. 2/1989 on Education, which states that the government will tolerate individual characters of educational institutions.

"The identity and unique character of private educational institutions (should be) always recognized so that Christian educational institutions can continue to be allowed to teach Christian lessons to the students," the religious organization said in a statement, submitted directly to the minister on Wednesday.

PGI chairman Sularso Sopater explained that the organization opposed the ministry's plan to require Christian schools to provide teachers and other facilities for students from other faiths. PGI did not say in the statement when the government would begin with its plan. The organization also did not speak of the minister's reaction to the proposal.

"The community has the freedom to organize (educational institutions) which are in line with their respective specifications," Sularso said.

The government recognizes Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Protestantism and Catholicism as religions. Government-run schools are required to provide teachers for the five religions. In reality, however, many schools just provide teachers for Muslims and Christians.

Private schools belonging to Protestant and Catholic foundations traditionally teach just one of the religions to all students, regardless of their faiths.

Parents and students are obliged to sign a statement allowing the children to receive Protestant or Catholic lessons.

Many Muslim organizations have complained about the obligation, while Christian schools say that Islamic schools also teach only Islam to their students.

Law No. 2, chapter XIII, rules that the government should provide as wide as possible an opportunity for society to participate in the organization of national education, but does not specifically mention religious teachings. The law simply says that conditions and requirements for the curriculum would be determined by a separate government regulation.

"The specific character of the education unit (institution) organized by society will remain respected," the law says. (05/prb)